Striker Sam Vokes in the shape of his life!

Chris Boden

Ahead of today’s top of the table clash with QPR, the Wales international striker - 24 on Monday - has eight goals for the season, having been given the chance to shine following Charlie Austin’s move to Loftus Road.

He is playing with more confidence and belief, enjoying a partnership with Danny Ings which has been worth 19 goals already this term.

Asked whether he is feeling as good as he has, he admitted: “I think so, yes.

“The gaffer’s given me confidence to go and play and it gives you that confidence in yourself to go out and prove a point.

“But I think the most confidence comes from yourself on a Saturday when you go out and put those performances in, you feel good in yourself and you can keep that going into the next week.”

Sean Dyche’s man-management is something the players value highly, and Vokes added: “From day one with him it’s been good.

“He’s done well to turn the squad around to what it is now. Everyone in the squad is looking forward.”

Next in line are Harry Redknapp’s Rs at Turf Moor, as Burnley go in search of an eighth-successive win.

But everyone’s feet are on the floor: “It’s going well.

“We’re pushing forward every game and we’ve got a good little run.

“We don’t really look at what we’ve done though, we just look at the next game and prepare for that.

“Of course, everyone looks at the table.

“Going into games like this it’s obviously a big one for everyone on the outside.

“For us we’re just going to go into it as we have every game and looking at it as another chance to get three points and prove that we’re a tough team to play at home.